Chargers vs. Jaguars: Halftime Observations for San Diego

On the grand stage that is Monday Night Football, the San Diego Chargers face a tough road battle in the search to keep their playoff hopes alive. They face a Jacksonville Jaguars team with no playoff hopes but with a lot to prove as it embarks on a journey with its new coach, Mel Tucker. Here are some halftime observations from this showdown in Jacksonville:

1. Opening drive

The Chargers have a six-game losing streak on the road and needed to come out early and emphatically. Putting points on the board first is something they have been having trouble with all year, and the fact that there were able to get seven on their first drive bodes well for the beginning of the second half.

2. Spreading the wealth around

Philips Rivers looks very on-point tonight, hitting seven different receivers (four for 10 yards or more). If the Chargers can keep the playbook honest and continue to spread the wealth around to the entire receiving corps, they'll keep the Jaguars' mediocre cornerbacks, safeties and secondary on their toes.

3. Blaine Gabbert is too comfortable

Blaine Gabbert is a young QB with a brand new coach. You'd think he'd be having some trouble tonight, but his QBR is off the charts in the first half. He looks way too comfortable. The Chargers' secondary need to pressure him into the mistakes we know he's capable of making, or give him a little taste of turf to rattle his cage.

4. Ryan Mathews is a beast

Ryan Mathews is on his way to a 100-yard night and is looking to keep making people remember why Darren Sproles was expendable. If his carries stay consistent, the Jaguars will continue to not know what to do, and the Chargers will have a chance to take this one on the road and move further into the playoff race.